Conveying apparatus



sept.. 29, 1925. 1,555,560

, F. W. DIXON CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed 4 sheets-.sheet 1 Egg.

Sept, 29, 1925. '1555560 F, w. DIXON CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10,1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 sept. '29, 1925.

F. W. DIXON CONVEYI NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. l0, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Sept. 29, 1925.,

F. W. DIXON CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1o, 4 sheets-sheet, 4

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Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

-UrNm-:o ,srA'ras 1,555,560 PLA TENT #o'rrlijcs.

rennes1 w. DIXON, or oAlvLBaIincE, MASSACHUSETTS.

. CONVEYING APPARATUS.

Application filed November 10, 179,23. Seria1\No. 67i3,919.

To all fwltomz'z may] Gomera.' Be it known that I, FoRRnsT W. DIXON, a

`citizen of the United States, and resident of ings representlng likeparts.

This invention `relates to conveying apparatus, and particularly toapparatus .of that type designed to convey goods from one or morestations to a given station, such as a packingr or shipping room, andalso, while so conveying them, to carry them such `distanceas willprovide suiiieient time to eect certain results inthe condition of thegoods, such as drying` or hardening them, as in the case ci fandies,etc.; and the object of Ythe invention is to producean improved machinefor the above purpose having the advantages, among others, hereinafterpointed out. Y In the drawings of one embodiment of my inventionselected tor illustration and `description herein,

Fig; 1 is a `side elevation 'of the machine partly broken awayorconvenience Fig. 2, an 'end 'elevation from the left Fig', 1; l

Fig. 3, a partial plan ofone of the carriers and stabilizers shown andmarked 44e, Fig. l, looking from the inside ofthe 'frame outwardly 5 yFig. 4,2m end view of "that portion of the machine `sh'mvn in 3, lookingfrom the left, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a similar view of the `o-ppositeend oi" said portion; i f

Fig. 6, a vertical section-from the vletton the line .6@6, Fig. ,3; i

7, a vertical section on the liney 7-7, Fig. 3, withthefstabilizer aboutto receive a carrier and to proceed to a lower track;

Fig. 8, a similar view with the stabilizer in .the opposite position, atthe lower' track; Fig. 9, a perspective viewollil one of the farriers;and

a plurality of `uprights 1, 2, 3,4, and similar members, not shown, onthe Opposite side 0f the machine, cross oriend members 5, 6, Fig. 2, andothers like them, notlshown, constitut `ing a support for the apparatus`tobe described. In` Fig. 1 the opposite or right hand end of the frame-isbroken away for convenience, it being, ihowever,`simil`ar inconstruction to the portion shown in lthat figure, and shown in Fig. 10.

Theparticulal `Gnflloodiment illustrated is `designed to receive traysofconfectionery at a given point, convey it through a` plurality ofso-called runs in the frame, to give it a "suitable `time to harden,and'then deliver the goods `at theend of one of the runs for removal andpacking. Hence, the frame is provided, Figs. 2, 10, with the tracks 7,8,9, 10, `11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, Fig. 1, tracks 201, 22, 24, 26and similar tracks, not shown, :on the opposite side of the machine. Itwill be noted, "Figs 1, 2, 10, that the tracks 8 and l18 and their mates7, 17, on the opposite side of the machine, extend the entire length ofthe frame, and this alone is a convenient construction when itv isdesired to have the goods left at the end of the lower track; but, if itis desired tohave the goods left at the level of the upper track, thenitis preferable to have also the intermediate tracks 10 to 16, and 20 to26 `inclusive to extend through only a portion of the length of theframe, and forming in eliect two sections or groups, one of which actsto convey the carriers and goods `from the top track8 `throughvarioustracks or runs 10, 12, '14 and 16 Ato the lower track 18, lwhiletheother group acts to convey the carriersl and goods from the lower.track 18 through'various intermediate runs 26, 24, 22`an`d "20 tothepoint of starting on the upper track `8, as will `be described` Then-conveyer proper comprises first a carrier or tray carrying member, and'second a moving element las sprocket therefor, the first of which ispreferably endless, and may be of any preferredy form, herein oftheconventienal link type, each link 27, Fig. 3, rectangular in shapeand having a forwardly curved lip 28 engagingtheA adjacent link ahead.`At frequent intervals, Figs. 1,

g 9, a link in .each chain is provided with a Fig. 10, a `partial sideelevation of the right hand end of the structure shown lin laterallyextended .pin or post 29 which is received by a socket member 31 on theadjacent end of the carrier.

Power for imparting traveling motion to the conveyer is supplied fromany suitable source asy a motor 32, Figs. 1, 2, on the frame, on anyconvenient point, and connected herein by pinion 33 with gear 34 on ashaft with bevel gear 35 in mesh with a similar gear 36 on the shaft 37.This shaft carries at its lower end a worm 38, in mesh with a worm gear39 on the shaft 40, in the frame.

On each end of the shaft 40, Fig. 2, is also a pinion 41 in mesh with agear 42 on shaft 43, of one of the sprockets 44 at the end of a run, andcarrying ythe conveyer chain 27, Fig. 6, which shafts, Fig. 3, operatethe stabilizers 44a, 44h, 44C, 44d, 44e, 44" and 44g, between the endsof each pair of runs tostabilize the carrier as it passes from one levelto another, and which will be referred to presently.

Each carrier, Fig. 9, comprises, as shown, two end members 45, connectedby rods 46, about which the edges o f the body 47 of the carrier arecurved and secured. On one or both ends, herein one, there 1s secured tothe member 45 and between 41t and the rods 46, a similar carrier guidingmember-- l 48 having the inturned `edge or ange 49 which engages beneaththe flanged track guide 50, Figs.r 4, 6, secured to the inner edge nearthe end of the rails or tracks from which the carriers descend to alower track, or to which they ascend from a lower 8. that they ends ofeach upper track rail of any pair of tracks where the carriers, dropfrom an upper to a lower track and where they ascendfrom a lower to anupper track is cut off to make clearance `for the carriers leaving theupper tracks sho-rter than the lower tracks, and each short track hasalso a part of the top and inner flanges of the U- shaped rail cut backstill further, see Figs. 7 and 8, hence the desirability of the shorttrack guides 50, to ensure proper guidance ofthe carrier from the trackend to the stabilizer or vice versa. These guides on the Fig. 2 righthand endsof the upper tracks of each pair are shown in full lines. Onthe carrie'rend also, adjacent the strip48, is a ribv 49, the functionof which will be described. A

It isvery desirable that .each tray shall be guided or stabilized duringits transit from one level to another to guard against its tipping if ithas been'unevenly loaded, and possible dropping of goods from thecarrier to the floor. f

Heretofore in machines of similarcharacter, devices have'beenprovided toengage the front and rear corners of the carriers, or bosses or poststhereon to secure stability pf the carriers during transit to anotherevel.

Theldevices have been more or less coinplicated in construction andaction and have end, Fig. 4; forward end in Fig. 5, and

vertical section in Fig. 6.

Each stabilizer, Figs. 3, 4,l comprises an arm lextended longitudinallyof the machine from a vertical base or .bracket 52, adapted to be boltedor otherwise secured to the edge of one of the posts 1,2, 3. At theopposite end of the arm from the base, Fig. 3, the arm carries avertical guide member or track 53. Y

The arm 51, Figs. 4, 5, near the base, carries an upwardly and also adownwardly extended branch arm 54 and 55, respectively, each offsetlaterally at its ends and with a boss 56 thereon, and to which issecured an arm guide 57.

In the arm 51 is journaled the extended end of one of the shafts 43carrying one of the sprocket wheels 44, carrying the chain 27, while theouter end, Figs. 3, 4, 6, carries a crank 60. which, in turn,y carrieskat its outer end,'Fig. 6, a block yl'having slid.- ing engagement with aribbed arm 62 by means of a long slot 63 therein, and through whichconnection, the arm 62 is .given a vertically reciprocating movement.

. The arm 62, Figs. 3, 4, 6, has, at its free end, a vertically groovedmember 64 which engages the guide 57, and it has also at its oppositeend van inturned guide engaging ioo flange 65 to engage the guide 53 onthe end of the arm 51, Fig. 3, and a carrier end guiding andstabilizi'nggrooved member or box 66 into which the carrier end is directed fromthe` tracks of the runs.

The several parts of the machine are, of course, properly timed andproportioned so that,` in operation, as the 'trays or carriers move, sayin the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, from the right hand end, Fig.l0, toward the left, each carrier, as it reaches the end of its track orrun, for instance track 14, Fig. 7, will be directed to a boX 66,kwaiting for it, and into which the rib 49a on the carrier end will fitsullicientlv snugly tol direct the Vcarrier front y edge always in ahorizontal plane, Fig. 7, and by means of which the carrier will besecurely held against either upward or downward tipping movement. Therebeing no element or elements engaging therear edge of lthe lso and meansto operate the saine from the conveyer.

7. Apparatus of the class described com-- prising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a pair ofparallel motion members for receiving the carrier rib therebetween andmeans to operate the same from the conveyer.

8. Apparatus of the cla-ss described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, tracks to guide it in a series of runs, short trackguides for certain of the tracks, carriers movably connected to theconveyer in series, each carrier having a guiding boss thereon, acarrier track guide also thereon, to cooperate With the short trackguides; and devices for holding the carriers horizontal duringtheirtravel from one run to another, each comprising an arm With a slidingblock therein Aand a box member to cooperate vvith the carrier as itleaves the track, and means including a crank engaging the block tooperate the arm in a vertical plane with sliding engagement of thecarrier.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having yaguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a two-Wayvertically moving locking box to hold the carrier against either upwardor downward movement While having longitudinally slidable engagementWith the carrier end.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, mrans to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon, a carrier track guide also thereon; and devices forholding the carriers horizontal during their travel from one run toanother, each comprising an arm With a box thereon, and means to .movethe arm and carrier vertically While in a horizontal position.

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in vseries, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising an arm Witha carrier-receiving box `thereon and a crank having slidable engagementtherewith to move the box vertically. i,

12. Apparatus of the class describedcon'iprising, in combination, anendless` conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected tothe conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carrier horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a crank onone of theconveyer members, an arm With a box thereon operated by thecrank for receiving one end of the carrier rib, and means `to operatethe same from the conveyer. y

13. Apparatus of theiclass described comprising, inv combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it ina series ofy runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; kand devices lfor holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising ahorizontally slotted member moving vertically with a varying degrre ofengagement With the carrier for guidingv one end of the carrierhorizontally. i

Y 14. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guideit in a series ofvruns, kcarriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding boss thereon; and devices for guiding the carriers horizontallyduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a box forreceiving onefend of the carrier boss and means to operate the sameWhile the carrier is having reciprocating movement relative thereto;

` 15. Apparatus of the class described conprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising an arm,outside the path of the carrier With a box thereon offset Within thepath of the carrier for receiving the carrier ribV and means foroperating the same from the conveyer.

16. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series ofl runs, carriersmovably connected to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices for holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a boxmovable substantially vertically and in a straight path for receivingone carrier end and means permitting relative longitudinal movement ofthe carrier therein during travel of the box from one level to another.

17. Apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, anendless conveyer, means to guide it in a series of runs, car-I riersmovably connectedV to the conveyer in series, each carrier having aguiding rib thereon; and devices Jfor holding the carriers horizontalduring their travel from one run to another, each comprising a boxmovable substantially vertically and in a straight path geared to travelvertically from one track to another while the carrier is travellingrotatively the same distance in sliding connection with the box.

18. In a machine of the class described, a series of carriers astabilizer for the carriers and comprising a base, an arm thereon, acrank on the. arm operated from the conveyer, a second arm with acarrier guiding box thereon and connections between the crank and secondarm for imparting vertically reciprocating motion to the latter.

19. In conveying apparatus comprising a series of carriers movable ondiiierent levels, a carrier stabilizer comprising a base, an armthereon, a box movably mounted on the arm and constructed and arrangedto receive a carrier, and means to operate the box along a vertical pathto stabilize the carrier between levels.

20. In a conveying apparatus having carriers, a stabilizer, and a base,an arm on said base, a box carrying arm on the rst arm, means on thebase for imparting up and down motion to the second arm tocause its boxto have reciprocating engagement with a carrier while stabilizing thelatter between levels.

2l. In a conveying apparatus having carriers, a stabilizer, and a base,an arm on said base, a second box carrying arm on the first arm, meanson the first arm for imparting both vertical and relative reciprocatingmovement to the box and carrier to cause the box to stabilize the latterbetween the levels.

22. In conveying apparatus including a carrier, a stabilizer comprisinga base, an arm thereon with a guide, a second box carrying arm with thebox in the path of the carrier and in engagement with the guide, a crankon the first arm creating vertical and relatively reciprocating motionbetween the box and the carrier to stabilize the latter between levels.

23. In conveying apparatus comprising a series of carriers moving alongdifferent levels, tracks of varying lengths, a short track guide on someof the tracks and a cooperating track guide member on each carrierhaving a longitudinally sliding engagement therewith; said cooperatingtrack guides interengaging to prevent tipping movement of the carriersin either direction.

24. In conveying apparatus comprising a series of carriers, trackstherefor of unequal length, an outwardly turned flange on the shorttracks, an inwardly turned flange on the carrier end for engagementtherewith to stabilize the carrier.

25. In conveying apparatus comprising a series of carriers and havingtracks therefor, short track guides on the inside of the track andbeneath the carrier and a cooperating track guide member on the carrierend also beneath the carrier.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FORREST W. DIXON.

